This Day in Baseball History
February 5th

Leo Durocher (.246, 0, 32) is selected off waivers by the Reds. The 24 year-old shortstop, an unpopular presence in the Yankees clubhouse, falls out of favor in New York after a salary dispute with Ed Barrow, the club's general manager.

1931

Hack Wilson, who set National League records last season when he drove in 191 runs, and hit 56 home runs, a mark since surpassed in 1998 by Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, signs for $35,000. The 31 year-old Cub outfielder's 1930 RBI total remains one of the game's most enduring records.

1934

A day before Babe Ruth's 39th birthday, future all-time home run leader Hammerin' Hank Aaron is born in Mobile, Alabama. The slugger, who will finish his career hitting 755 home runs playing for the Braves and Brewers, will surpass the 'Bambino's' all-time record of 714 home runs in 1974, after receiving much hate mail from people who did not want to see a black man break baseball's hallowed mark.

1951

California governor Earl Warren denies the rumor that he is being considered to be baseball's next commissioner. The former vice-presidential candidate, who was on the Republican ticket with Thomas Dewey in the last election, will be confirmed as the 14th Chief Justice of the United States in 1954.

1977

The Cubs deal southpaw Darold Knowles to the Rangers for a player to be named later and cash. The left-hander will post a 5-2 record for Texas, and outfielder Gene Clines, made part of the trade ten days later, will help his new club, batting a respectable .293 playing in 101 games for Chicago.

1983

The Royals trade minor league prospect Cecil Fielder to the Blue Jays for 32 year-old outfielder Leon Roberts, who will retire after having two mediocre seasons in Kansas City. 'Big Daddy' will go on to enjoy several MVP-caliber seasons during his 13-year tenure in the major leagues, having his best years playing for the Tigers.

1999

Major league baseball will honor each league's best hitter with an award named after Hank Aaron. The all-time home run king learns about the honor on his 65th birthday at an event which includes President Bill Clinton, Ernie Banks and Reggie Jackson.

2002

Luis Arroyo is inducted into the Latin American Baseball Hall of Fame Museum. The Puerto Rican reliever, who made the National League All-Star squad as a rookie with the Cardinals in 1955, had an eight-year career mark of 40-32, saving 36 games with a 3.93 ERA, being best remembered for his 1961 season with the Yankees (15-5, 29 saves).

2002

Baseball announces the withdrawal of its plan for contraction this upcoming season, but the sport is still determined to eliminate two teams in 2003. Attempts to contract the Twins and Expos this season could not be accomplished, due to a series of legal decisions and fierce opposition from the Players Association.

2002

Troy Percival's seven-year tenure with Anaheim, which is the longest on the current roster, will increase as the All-Star reliever signs a two-year contract extension to stay with the club. The 32 year-old right-hander, who is the Angels' all-time leader with 210 career saves, converted 39 of 42 save opportunities last season.

2002

The Astros file a motion in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, asking the court to determine whether the 30-year naming agreement with Enron signed in 1999 should continue. The team does not want to call its stadium Enron Field any longer, due to the financial burden placed on many Houston-area residents caused by the bankrupt energy company's business practices.

2008

Alex Rios (.297, 24, 85) and the Blue Jays agree on a $4,835,000, one-year deal which includes a $3.5 million signing bonus with a base salary of $1,335,000. The 26 year-old All-Star outfielder will not become eligible for free agency until the end of the 2010 season.

2008

Freddie Sanchez signs an $11 million, two-year contract to continue to play second base for the Pirates. The 2006 National League batting champ could add another $8 million in 2010 if the Bucs exercise their option to retain his services.

2008

Scott Podsednik (.243, 2, 11) agrees to a minor league contract with the Rockies. Best known for his role in the 2005 White Sox World Championship, the speedy 31 year-old outfielder has been slowed by injuries the past two seasons.

2008

Vying to stay in the starting rotation, Dave Bush (12-10, 5.12) signs a $2.55 million, one-year deal to pitch for the Brewers. The durable 28 year-old right-hander, who made at least 31 starts each of the previous two seasons, will make an additional $50,000 as part of the arbitration agreement if he pitches 210 innings.

2009

In an arrangement similar to last year, Odalis Perez and the Nationals agree to a non-guaranteed minor league deal which will reward the southpaw with an $850,000 major league contract if he makes the club this season during spring training. The left-hander made 30 starts for Washington a year ago, posting a 7-12 record with a 4.34 ERA for the last-place team.

2009

Joseph Reaves, Dodgers director of international relations, announces the May 16 regular-season game between the Mexico City Diablos Rojos and the Monterrey Sultanes will be played at Dodger Stadium. The contest between the two most storied franchises south of the border marks the first time a Mexican League game has played in the City of Angels.

2010

The Twins and former L.A. infielder Orlando Hudson (.283, 9, 62) agree to a $5 million, one-year contract. The 32 year-old free-agent second baseman, known as O-Dog, is expected to be the club's Number 2 hitter between leadoff man Denard Span and AL MVP Joe Mauer.

2010

The ball thrown to Alex Rodriguez that he hit for his 500th home run is sold at an auction for $103,579 to an anonymous bidder. The historic horsehide, which cleared the fence at Yankee Stadium on August 4, 2007, was recovered in a scrum by a Rutgers University student.